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Confederate States of America Currency

Confederate States of American (CSA) currency is unique in that it was not backed by any hard standard, but rather by a promise of repayment upon independence. Both coins and banknotes were created for the fledgling CSA. Banknotes were nicknamed greybacks, associated with the grey color of the South's military uniforms.

CSA currency existed in many forms: Confederacy-wide notes, state-issued notes, and private bank-issued notes. Several prototype coins were made both during and after the Civil War. In 1861, 12 to 14 original prototype copper-nickel pennies were minted. The dies used to mint these coins now reside in the Smithsonian Institute, although they were used to make commemorative coins after the Civil War. Additionally, four Confederate half-dollar coins were minted. All four survive to this day.

Today, CSA currency is very collectible due to the historical resonance of the American Civil War. Many bills and coins show signs of individual stories that reflect the turbulence of the time in a way that few other mediums can accomplish. While counterfeiting was popular due to the large number of different printings, there are many noteworthy and desirable counterfeits with quality equal to or even surpassing that of the officially released currency.


Quick Facts

  • The promissory nature of CSA currency echoes that of the United States Revolution when the colonies produced fiat currency
  • Many CSA banknote designs feature prominent contemporary and historical figures including a $50 bill featuring George Washington
  • An 1861 issue $100 note sold for just over $5,000 at a California auction in 2014. Several other rare notes sold at the same auction for $2,000 to $3,000

Recommended Items at Auction

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1864 $10 Confederate Note, T68 Grades vf+
Sep 26, 6:30 PM EDT
1864 $10 Confederate Note, T68 Grades vf+
by Key Date Coins
Est: $25- $100
$255 Bids
1864 $10 Confederate Note, T68 Grades Select AU
Sep 26, 6:30 PM EDT
1864 $10 Confederate Note, T68 Grades Select AU
by Key Date Coins
Est: $95- $190
$255 Bids
(2) FRACTIONAL CURRENCIES & a CONFEDERATE NOTE
Sep 29, 11:00 AM EDT
(2) FRACTIONAL CURRENCIES & a CONFEDERATE NOTE
by John McInnis Auctioneers
Est: $50- $100
$403 Bids
6 Pieces of Confederate Currency
Sep 28, 10:00 AM EDT
6 Pieces of Confederate Currency
by Embassy Auctions International
Est: $20- $40
$353 Bids
1864 $100 Confederate States of America Note
Sep 26, 8:00 AM PDT
1864 $100 Confederate States of America Note
by BK Auctions
Est: $110- $130
$353 Bids
1864 $10 Georgia Confederate Note
Sep 28, 10:00 AM EDT
1864 $10 Georgia Confederate Note
by Embassy Auctions International
Est: $20- $35
$202 Bids
1863 $1 Confederate Note
Sep 28, 10:00 AM EDT
1863 $1 Confederate Note
by Embassy Auctions International
Est: $20- $35
$151 Bid
1864 $10 Confederate Note, T68 Grades xf+
Sep 26, 6:30 PM EDT
1864 $10 Confederate Note, T68 Grades xf+
by Key Date Coins
Est: $70- $141
$51 Bid
1864 $20 Confederate Note, T67 Grades vf++
Sep 26, 6:30 PM EDT
1864 $20 Confederate Note, T67 Grades vf++
by Key Date Coins
Est: $25- $100
$51 Bid
1864 $5 Confederate Note, T69 Grades vf+
Sep 26, 6:30 PM EDT
1864 $5 Confederate Note, T69 Grades vf+
by Key Date Coins
Est: $25- $100
$51 Bid
1864 $20 Confederate Note, T67 Grades vf details
Sep 26, 6:30 PM EDT
1864 $20 Confederate Note, T67 Grades vf details
by Key Date Coins
Est: $25- $100
$51 Bid
1864 $20 Confederate Note, T67 Grades vf++
Sep 26, 6:30 PM EDT
1864 $20 Confederate Note, T67 Grades vf++
by Key Date Coins
Est: $25- $100
$51 Bid
1864 $5 Confederate Note, T69 Grades vf+
Sep 26, 6:30 PM EDT
1864 $5 Confederate Note, T69 Grades vf+
by Key Date Coins
Est: $25- $100
$51 Bid
9 CSA Obsolete Currency Notes, incl. $100 Train
Oct 07, 9:00 AM EDT
9 CSA Obsolete Currency Notes, incl. $100 Train
by Case Antiques, Inc. Auctions & Appraisals
Est: $350- $450
$1751 Bid
1864 $10 Confederate Note, T68 Grades vf++
Sep 28, 6:30 PM EDT
1864 $10 Confederate Note, T68 Grades vf++
by Key Date Coins
Est: $25- $100
$51 Bid
1864 $10 Confederate Note, T68 Grades Choice AU/BU Slider
Sep 28, 6:30 PM EDT
1864 $10 Confederate Note, T68 Grades Choice AU/BU Slider
by Key Date Coins
Est: $125- $250
$51 Bid
1864 $500 CONFEDERATE STATES NOTE
Oct 03, 11:00 AM EDT
1864 $500 CONFEDERATE STATES NOTE
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $800- $1,000
$101 Bid
1861 $20 Confederate States of America Note T-9 Legacy Very Fine 30
Sep 27, 8:00 AM PDT
1861 $20 Confederate States of America Note T-9 Legacy Very Fine 30
by BK Auctions
Est: $300- $350
$11 Bid
(2) 1953, (1) 1953-B 2$ Bills and Replica Confederate State Currency
Sep 26, 5:00 PM EDT
(2) 1953, (1) 1953-B 2$ Bills and Replica Confederate State Currency
by Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer
Est: $1- $5,000
$11 Bid
1861 $20 Confederate States Contemporary Counterfeit Note PMG Choice About Unc 58EPQ
Sep 27, 8:00 AM PDT
1861 $20 Confederate States Contemporary Counterfeit Note PMG Choice About Unc 58EPQ
by BK Auctions
Est: $210- $240
$10 Bids
1864 $10 Confederate States of America Note
Sep 26, 8:00 AM PDT
1864 $10 Confederate States of America Note
by BK Auctions
Est: $60- $70
$10 Bids
Lot of 1864 $5 & $10 Confederate States of America Notes
Sep 26, 8:00 AM PDT
Lot of 1864 $5 & $10 Confederate States of America Notes
by BK Auctions
Est: $70- $80
$10 Bids
Lot of (2) 1864 $10 Confederate States of America Notes
Sep 26, 8:00 AM PDT
Lot of (2) 1864 $10 Confederate States of America Notes
by BK Auctions
Est: $70- $80
$10 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Confederate States of America Currency


Key Date Coins

Key Date Coins

BK Auctions

BK Auctions

Vintage Auctions

Vintage Auctions

Embassy Auctions International

Embassy Auctions International